Posted on 11/19/2010 6:31:58 PM PST by massmike
Pat Burns, who went from tough-as-nails police officer to one of the best defensive coaches in NHL history, died Friday after a long battle with cancer.
He was 58.
Burns, a native of Montreals hardscrabble St-Henri district, won 501 games in 15 seasons as an NHL coach with the Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils, which he led to the 2002-03 Stanley Cup title in his first season with the club.
He was the only coach in NHL history to win the Jack Adams Trophy as the leagues coach of the year three times, winning it with the Canadiens in 1988-89, the Leafs in 1992-93 and the Bruins in 1997-98.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.nationalpost.com ...
RIP.
Bye Pat.
THANKS for the great Hockey you helped create.
Thanks massmike. When I was growing up in Vancouver, I will always remember Burnsy when he coached 2 teams I hate more in the world in the habs and leafs whenever they played my Canucks. I’ve always respected him and he was a class act. R.I.P. Pat..
A good man. He will be missed. Rest in peace coach.
I lived in Montreal in the 80’s and early 90’s and was a Nordiques fan but always had the utmost respect for Coach Burns.
Rest in peace, Sir.
Man, 58? He will be missed.
Not a Habs or Leafs fan either, but the man was a helluva coach.
I was watching the Toronto-Montreal hockey game tonight on the NHL Network tonight and they had a nice video tribute.
From a Flyers fan, great coach.
RIP
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